On July 2 the drive was made to deliver the summer items we had sewn for the babies of the CVICU. It was a very emotional and wonderful drive that day due to the efforts of some incredible women. Because of their efforts, the delivery for Arkansas Children's Hospital for summer was truly a summer splash! We were able to deliver 106 shirts and 72 blankets!!! In addition, 4 beautiful quilts made by a young girl learning to sew with her grandmother. This was the most shirts we had ever delivered at one time!!! It was OVERWHELMING! Wonderfully overwhelming!
In May we were unable to have our sewing group meet due to an unexpected passing. There was some concern (apparently only by me) of how would we ever meet our desire to make a big summer splash with our Summer Delivery. Our April meeting had been fantastic. We had some new ladies join us and really got a lot done for the upcoming delivery. However, as I looked at all the finishing steps that needed to happen, I didn't think it would be possible before July arrived. There was a lot to be done as you can imagine with a result of 106 shirts! When we were able to meet again in June, the ladies were ready to go! They worked fast and focused. Then, they took some home and we did another short meeting later in the month. More and more finished shirts just kept appearing. It was as if Jesus just kept breaking the "bread" and more and more was ready.
I thought by now I had learned to expect miracles when you are doing the things God puts on your heart. This delivery reminded me I still have a lot to learn about how big my God really is and how much He simply wants willing hands. I am truly blessed to be surrounded by willing hands and beautiful hearts. And, I look forward to see what He will do with the Fall Delivery! It's going to be amazing and we hope you will join us!
Come be part of something incredible. Join us the first Saturday of each month as we fellowship and sew for the little ones!
Monday, August 7, 2017
Thursday, April 13, 2017
Spring has SPRUNG! And so did the ACH delivery...
I got up early, before the sun, April 1 for our April sewing day. There was a big stack of shirts to get ironed. They had been sewn together at our March sewing meeting, trimmed, turned, and now just needed ironed so they could be closed up and snaps added. Closed up means a person hand sewing the opening between the two layers of fabric closed. I knew I had ladies coming with hand sewing skills. And, I was thankful as this is not my area of expertise. To be honest, most sewing skills are not my area of expertise.... Fortunately, God fills in those gaps with others!
I looked at the big stack, it was about double the normal amount we had done in 2016 each quarter. I was floored we had done so many. But, this also meant that with only a few of us, many of the shirts would simply not get done in time for the delivery to the CVICU at Arkansas Children's Hospital. It just wasn't possible. I took in a deep breath and told myself it was OK, that God provides the workers as long as we are willing to follow His will, but it was OK if they weren't all done. There was simply only so many hours in a day. Whatever got done, we would deliver. And, it would be fabulous no matter what. It was OK!
Then, the ladies began to show up. They sat down and begin to sew what was already ironed as I continued to iron more. I kept ironing, they kept visiting while hand sewing, I kept ironing, they kept getting more done! I finished the ironing and began to put snaps on the shirts. Another lady stopped by to help and began to package the completed shirts. We kept going and enjoying the fellowship as we worked. When our time was almost up for the day, the ladies asked "are there any more to close?" I was floored! Somehow ALL the shirts were closed, we had snaps on almost all, and they were packaged ready to go. How had such a feat happened?!?! And, why after all these years did I doubt what God would accomplish through willing hands? The result?...
The Spring delivery to ACH included 100 Blankets, 1 beautiful quilt, and 79 shirts! When we arrived, they were thrilled. Parents had been asking if there were more shirts coming. It was a fabulous delivery. Make sure to take a moment and check out the photos!
One of our ladies even took the time to make some special Easter shirts. They are PRECIOUS! Look at all the work she put in to them!!! Those little chicks along the bottom, incredible!
I looked at the big stack, it was about double the normal amount we had done in 2016 each quarter. I was floored we had done so many. But, this also meant that with only a few of us, many of the shirts would simply not get done in time for the delivery to the CVICU at Arkansas Children's Hospital. It just wasn't possible. I took in a deep breath and told myself it was OK, that God provides the workers as long as we are willing to follow His will, but it was OK if they weren't all done. There was simply only so many hours in a day. Whatever got done, we would deliver. And, it would be fabulous no matter what. It was OK!
Then, the ladies began to show up. They sat down and begin to sew what was already ironed as I continued to iron more. I kept ironing, they kept visiting while hand sewing, I kept ironing, they kept getting more done! I finished the ironing and began to put snaps on the shirts. Another lady stopped by to help and began to package the completed shirts. We kept going and enjoying the fellowship as we worked. When our time was almost up for the day, the ladies asked "are there any more to close?" I was floored! Somehow ALL the shirts were closed, we had snaps on almost all, and they were packaged ready to go. How had such a feat happened?!?! And, why after all these years did I doubt what God would accomplish through willing hands? The result?...
The Spring delivery to ACH included 100 Blankets, 1 beautiful quilt, and 79 shirts! When we arrived, they were thrilled. Parents had been asking if there were more shirts coming. It was a fabulous delivery. Make sure to take a moment and check out the photos!
One of our ladies even took the time to make some special Easter shirts. They are PRECIOUS! Look at all the work she put in to them!!! Those little chicks along the bottom, incredible!
If you look closely you will see the details added to this sweet shirt and see why I deeply appreciate having such talented women helping us make a difference!
We are always looking for more helpers! There is always more to do! Please consider joining us or supporting us in our purchases as we MAKE A DIFFERENCE TOGETHER! Have a blessed day!
Wednesday, February 8, 2017
Ending 2016 with a BANG!
What a fantastic and blessed year we had in 2016! We had our biggest delivery to date! What a BANG! Over the course of 2016 there were many that joined us in providing items for the CVICU at Arkansas Children's Hospital. And, I can say from personal experience, your gifts of items, money, time, and prayers make such a difference! Knowing that someone you have never met cares about your little one is absolutely priceless.
I had the opportunity to go to ACH myself along with my sister and deliver the Christmas Delivery. When we arrived, we grabbed a wagon to allow us to take in all the items and headed to the CVICU. We had to hold the items in the wagon so they didn't fall out! Once we got to the 4th floor, we found the amazing Libby. Like all the ACH staff, she met us with full smile. Of course, I don't think Libby is ever without a smile! We had hats, blankets, shirts, and a giant box full of candy for the nurses. It was Christmas, they needed goodies too!
A few months before this delivery, in October, we had a sewing retreat where the ladies that work so hard during the year just get away and enjoy. We had new visitors this year and as you will see in the photo here, they came bearing gifts! Check out all the little hats! 101 precious little hats! We then made a few red stripe beanies to add to them as well! Look at all the colors! Imagine all the work to have 101 hats ready to go!
I had the opportunity to go to ACH myself along with my sister and deliver the Christmas Delivery. When we arrived, we grabbed a wagon to allow us to take in all the items and headed to the CVICU. We had to hold the items in the wagon so they didn't fall out! Once we got to the 4th floor, we found the amazing Libby. Like all the ACH staff, she met us with full smile. Of course, I don't think Libby is ever without a smile! We had hats, blankets, shirts, and a giant box full of candy for the nurses. It was Christmas, they needed goodies too!
A few months before this delivery, in October, we had a sewing retreat where the ladies that work so hard during the year just get away and enjoy. We had new visitors this year and as you will see in the photo here, they came bearing gifts! Check out all the little hats! 101 precious little hats! We then made a few red stripe beanies to add to them as well! Look at all the colors! Imagine all the work to have 101 hats ready to go!
Our wagon was filled with 76 flannel blankets, 101 sweet hats, 32 beanies, and 52 shirts. If you take a moment to visit the Photos page, you will see pics of all these items. And, if you have donated, look closely and you will most likely see your donations in those photos!
Thank you for helping to make 2016 amazing! It has inspired 2017 to be even better! Look for an update on 2017 soon!
Be blessed, and thank you for blessing us! Happy 2017!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)